Upsets at U.S. Open 9-Ball

Two rounds into the winners’ bracket matches, and already there have been some upsets at the 37th U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships.

For the U.S., “Rocket” Rodney Morris had a bye in the first round and then played the 18-year-old Austrian Mario He, who had earlier whitewashed Larry Ross. He also won over Morris, taking the match 11-8. Former U.S. Open champion Tommy Kennedy, who won this event two decades ago, took down the Philippines’ Warren Kiamco, who has been having a great year, 11-7.

Former U.S. Open champion Tommy Kennedy, who won this event two decades ago, took down the Philippines’ Warren Kiamco, who has been having a great year, 11-7.

But Johnny Archer, who won the Open in 1999, won his second-round match against Majid Al-Zaabi and will next face Mario Morra, who just sent Juan Carlos Esposito to the one-loss side 11-6. Shane Van Boening, winner in 2007, defeated Adam “GQ” Smith by the lopsided score of 11-1. And Oscar “The Big O” Dominguez triumphed in his match over Bob Jewett 11-4.

From German’s contingent, straight pool champ Oliver Ortmann of Germany was upended by the unknown Israel Rota 11-4. The 2002 U.S. Open champion, Ralf Souquet was on the wrong end of a double-hill match against Lee Brett and was sent west 11-10. But Thorsten Hohmann won his match over South Carolina’s B. J. Ussery 11-7.

Looking to add the U.S. 9-ball title to his C.V., former world 9-ball champ Daryl Peach triumphed in his second-round match over Peter Panapoulos 11-4, as defending champion Darren Appleton aced his match against Pittsburgh’s Don Steele 11-1. Karl Boyes only allowed Eddie Ciracella one rack before winning their match 11-1, and Mark Gray bested Cary Dunn 11-5.